Career and Education Opportunities for Pharmacist's Aides in Lancaster, California

There is a wide variety of career and education opportunities for pharmacist's aides in the Lancaster, California area. Currently, 7,300 people work as pharmacist's aides in California. This is expected to shrink 7% to 6,800 people by 2016. This is not quite as good as the national trend for pharmacist's aides, which sees this job pool shrinking by about 6.3% over the next eight years. In general, pharmacist's aides record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs.

A person working as a pharmacist's aide can expect to earn about $10 hourly or $21,110 per year on average in California and about $9 hourly or $20,100 per year on average in the U.S. as a whole. Pharmacist's aides earn less than people working in the category of Pharmacy generally in California and less than people in the Pharmacy category nationally. People working as pharmacist's aides can fill a number of jobs, such as: pharmacy aide, pharmacy assistant, and pharmacy helper.

The Lancaster area is home to 210 schools of higher education, including twenty-six within twenty-five miles of Lancaster where you can get a degree as a pharmacist's aide. Given that the most common education level for pharmacist's aides is a high school diploma or GED, it will take only a short time to learn to be a pharmacist's aide if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Pharmacist's Aide

Pharmacist's Aide video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, pharmacist's aides record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. They also may operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.

Pharmacist's aides answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacists when needed. They also maintain and clean apparatus, work areas and shelves. Equally important, pharmacist's aides have to greet customers and help them locate products. They are often called upon to accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing needed data. They are expected to execute clerical tasks such as filing, compiling and maintaining prescription reports, and composing letters. Finally, pharmacist's aides receive, store and inventory pharmaceutical supplies, notifying pharmacists when levels are low.

Every day, pharmacist's aides are expected to be able to articulate ideas and problems. They need to listen to and understand others in meetings.

It is important for pharmacist's aides to ready prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer. They are often called upon to ready solid and liquid dosage medications for dispensing into bottles and unit dose packaging. They also compound, package and label pharmaceutical products under direction of pharmacist. They are sometimes expected to furnish customers with data related to the uses and effects of drugs. Somewhat less frequently, pharmacist's aides are also expected to ready prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.

They also have to be able to ready, maintain and record records of inventories, receipts, purchases and deliveries, using a variety of computer screen formats and restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves. And finally, they sometimes have to deliver medication to treatment areas, living units, residences and clinics, using various means of transportation.

Like many other jobs, pharmacist's aides must have exceptional integrity and be reliable.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Pharmacist's Aide Training

Everest College-Torrance - Torrance, CA

Everest College-Torrance, 1231 Cabrillo Ave Ste 201, Torrance, CA 90501. Everest College-Torrance is a small college located in Torrance, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 87 students and an admission rate of 81%. Everest College-Torrance has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated eighty-one students in 2008.

North-West College-Pomona - Pomona, CA

North-West College-Pomona, 134 W Holt Ave, Pomona, CA 91768. North-West College-Pomona is a small college located in Pomona, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 119 students and an admission rate of 87%. North-West College-Pomona has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated fifteen students in 2008.

United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus, 6055 Pacific Blvd., Huntington Park, CA 90255. United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus is a small school located in Huntington Park, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 4,467 students and an admission rate of 92%. United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated 250 students in 2008.

Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute, 6435 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute is a small school located in Los Angeles, California. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs and has 176 students. Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated twenty-three students in 2008.

Clarita Career College - Canyon Country, CA

Clarita Career College, 27125 Sierra Hwy Ste 329, Canyon Country, CA 91351. Clarita Career College is a small college located in Canyon Country, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 193 students. Clarita Career College has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated twenty-three students in 2008.

North-West College-West Covina - West Covina, CA

North-West College-West Covina, 2121 W Garvey Ave, West Covina, CA 91790. North-West College-West Covina is a small college located in West Covina, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 390 students and an admission rate of 85%. North-West College-West Covina has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated thirty students in 2008.

Cerritos College - Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College, 11110 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650-6298. Cerritos College is a large college located in Norwalk, California. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 22,228 students. Cerritos College has one to two year, associate's degree, and two to four year programs in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated eleven, seven, and zero students respectively in 2008.

North-West College-Pasadena - Pasadena, CA

North-West College-Pasadena, 530 E Union, Pasadena, CA 91101. North-West College-Pasadena is a small college located in Pasadena, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 79 students and an admission rate of 79%. North-West College-Pasadena has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated seventeen students in 2008.

Adelante Career Institute - Van Nuys, CA

Adelante Career Institute, 14547 Titus, Suite 100, Van Nuys, CA 91402. Adelante Career Institute is a small school located in Van Nuys, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 95 students and an admission rate of 89%. Adelante Career Institute has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated five students in 2008.

Valley College of Medical Careers - West Hills, CA

Valley College of Medical Careers, 8399 Topanga Canyon Blvd Ste 200, West Hills, CA 91304. Valley College of Medical Careers is a small college located in West Hills, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 95 students. Valley College of Medical Careers has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated forty students in 2008.

Everest College-Alhambra - Alhambra, CA

Everest College-Alhambra, 2215 Mission Rd, Alhambra, CA 91803. Everest College-Alhambra is a small college located in Alhambra, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 776 students and an admission rate of 68%. Everest College-Alhambra has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated forty-two students in 2008.

Antelope Valley Medical College - Lancaster, CA

Antelope Valley Medical College, 44201 10th St West, Lancaster, CA 93534. Antelope Valley Medical College is a small college located in Lancaster, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs and has 579 students. Antelope Valley Medical College has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated fifty-six students in 2008.

Intercoast Colleges - West Covina, CA

Intercoast Colleges, 1400 W. West Covina Pkwy-2nd Floor, West Covina, CA 91790. Intercoast Colleges is a small college located in West Covina, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 74 students. Intercoast Colleges has a one to two year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated fifteen students in 2008.

North-West College-Glendale - Glendale, CA

North-West College-Glendale, 221 North Brand, Glendale, CA 91203. North-West College-Glendale is a small college located in Glendale, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 116 students and an admission rate of 81%. North-West College-Glendale has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated forty-four students in 2008.

Everest College-Reseda - Reseda, CA

Everest College-Reseda, 18040 Sherman Way Ste 400, Reseda, CA 91335-4631. Everest College-Reseda is a small college located in Reseda, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 223 students and an admission rate of 44%. Everest College-Reseda has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated sixty-one students in 2008.

Everest College-City of Industry - City of Industry, CA

Everest College-City of Industry, 12801 Crossroads Parkway South, City of Industry, CA 91746-1023. Everest College-City of Industry is a small college located in City of Industry, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs. It has 329 students and an admission rate of 89%. Everest College-City of Industry has a one to two year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated fifty students in 2008.

Everest College-LA Wilshire - Los Angeles, CA

Everest College-LA Wilshire, 3460 Wilshire Blvd Ste 500, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Everest College-LA Wilshire is a small college located in Los Angeles, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 188 students and an admission rate of 54%. Everest College-LA Wilshire has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated fifty students in 2008.

Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education - Baldwin Park, CA

Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education, 4640 Maine Ave, Baldwin Park, CA 91706-4221. Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education is a small school located in Baldwin Park, California. It is a public school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 1,400 students. Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education has a one to two year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated twenty-eight students in 2008.

Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science - Los Angeles, CA

Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059. Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science is a small university located in Los Angeles, California. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 249 students. Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science has an associate's degree program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant.

Everest College-West Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA

Everest College-West Los Angeles, 3000 S Robertson Blvd #300, Los Angeles, CA 90034-3169. Everest College-West Los Angeles is a small college located in Los Angeles, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs. It has 173 students and an admission rate of 57%. Everest College-West Los Angeles has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated thirty-seven students in 2008.

American University of Health Sciences - Long Beach, CA

American University of Health Sciences, 3501 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. American University of Health Sciences is a small university located in Long Beach, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 74 students. American University of Health Sciences has a one to two year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated forty students in 2008.

Intercoast Colleges - Carson, CA

Intercoast Colleges, One Civic Plaza-Ste 110, Carson, CA 90745. Intercoast Colleges is a small college located in Carson, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 143 students. Intercoast Colleges has a one to two year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated seventeen students in 2008.

American Career College - Los Angeles, CA

American Career College, 4021 Rosewood Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004. American Career College is a small college located in Los Angeles, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs. It has 1,711 students and an admission rate of 85%. American Career College has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated 185 students in 2008.

Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute-Sherman Oaks - Sherman Oaks, CA

Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute-Sherman Oaks, 15130 Ventura Blvd, Ste 250, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute-Sherman Oaks is a small school located in Sherman Oaks, California. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs and has 54 students. Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute-Sherman Oaks has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated eighteen students in 2008.

Intercoast Colleges - Burbank, CA

Intercoast Colleges, 175 East Olive Avenue, 3rd Floor, Burbank, CA 91502. Intercoast Colleges is a small college located in Burbank, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 68 students. Intercoast Colleges has a one to two year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant.

Career Colleges of America - South Gate, CA

Career Colleges of America, 5612 E Imperial Hwy, South Gate, CA 90280. Career Colleges of America is a small college located in South Gate, California. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 1,087 students. Career Colleges of America has a less than one year program in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant which graduated ten students in 2008.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Lancaster, California

Lancaster, California photo by File Upload Bot

Lancaster is situated in Los Angeles County, California. It has a population of over 145,469, which has grown by 22.5% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Lancaster, 130, is far greater than the national average. New single-family homes in Lancaster cost $144,700 on average, which is far less than the state average. In 2008, two hundred ninety-six new homes were constructed in Lancaster, down from eight hundred six the previous year.

The three most popular industries for women in Lancaster are health care, educational services, and accommodation and food services. For men, it is construction, transportation equipment, and public administration. The average commute to work is about 32 minutes. More than 15.8% of Lancaster residents have a bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 5.6%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Lancaster is 17.6%, which is greater than California's average of 12.3%.

The percentage of Lancaster residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 58.1%, is more than both the national and state average. The most prominent religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the LDS (Mormon) Church.

Lancaster is home to the Los Angeles County Animal Shelter Number 5 and the Lancaster City Hall as well as Mays Field and Mariposa Park. Shopping centers in the area include Antelope Valley Center Shopping Center, Antelope Valley Plaza Shopping Center and West Lancaster Plaza Shopping Center. Visitors to Lancaster can choose from Best Western Antelope Valley I, Aloha Motel and Bonaire Motel for temporary stays in the area.